Chapter 256: The Stage Is Set: Zero-Zero-Three

Lanterns flickered on, hung from the rearview mirrors, illuminating the Tianmayu parking lot in brilliant light. Members of the Green Dragon Corps stepped down from their vehicles one by one, each holding rifles, rhythmically slapping their thighs—the dull thuds, combined with their superior gear and synchronized strides, radiated an overwhelming sense of oppression!

Thump-thump, thump-thump-thump.

As the slaps continued, thirty-odd men formed a semicircle, blocking the path down the hill from the camp—anyone trying to flee stood no chance.

Clap-clap, clap…

Gradually, the slapping ceased.

Standing before the camp lanterns, their backs to the light, the Green Dragon Corps members' warm breaths rose visibly, curling into strange shapes above their heads. No one could see their faces, creating an aura of unknown mystery that deepened psychological fear.

The silent air, the suffocating atmosphere—it seemed even the wind had stopped.

"Where's the person in charge? Step forward and speak!"

Liu Lei lightly tapped his chest rifle, strode boldly to the front of the crowd, and swept his gaze over the faces of sleep-dazed people, filled inside with pride and contempt.

Pride, because the Green Dragon Corps members far outshone this group in both spirit and attire—hundreds of times better. Contempt, because this ragtag mob looked utterly defenseless.

"I—I am! Sir, good evening!"

"Oh? Hahaha! I love seeing you act like this—helpless but forced to obey. Stop wasting my time. Everyone, stand in line! Count off!"

"Are all of you here? I'm giving you a chance now—if we find others in this area later, we'll follow the rules: one found, two executed!"

"Fuck, you're the fucking losers who made us waste our trip? Pathetic!"

Yu Wen hurried forward, smiling: "Sir, rest assured—we promised to deliver grain, so we won't lie. A few days ago, a survivor camp to the south was attacked by a horde; over ten survivors escaped. They're the ones we're talking about—we won't hide anything!"

"I'm not one of them?" Chen Hanzhou raised his arm, saying: "Don't I lack arms?"

"No, no!"

"What's all this noise for? Don't we have to move supplies? You're still acting so arrogant just because you're waiting for our grain?"

"That's right! Xiao Shu said the Tianmayu manager was an old bastard. Come on, call out everyone in your camp for assembly! Don't tell me this is all you've got—I don't believe a bunch of cripples could've survived three months in the apocalypse!"

Liu Lei raised his rifle and shouted with utter arrogance.

Liu Lei's gaze swept over the camp's faces, lingering with disdain on the men, but showing greedy interest in a few women—though it stopped at mere curiosity, no further action.

Chen Hanzhou directed his people to pile the sacks to one side, gave a hand signal to those behind him. Though resentful, they still lined up properly, glaring at the Green Dragon Corps with sour expressions.

"Kid, you fucking—"

No one willingly welcomes being robbed—even if you comply, you must show emotion, or you'll leave too many gaps.

Liu Lei pointed his rifle at the crowd with utter contempt.

Yu Wen stepped out from the crowd, deliberately fumbling to drop his cap on the ground, then bent down clumsily to pick it up, brushed it off, and placed it back on his head with a beaming smile as he approached Liu Lei and his men.

Some people emerged from the shadows, shouldering sacks, faces flushed with anger. Chen Hanzhou muttered bitterly, wearing a battered, ragged hat that looked like an upturned bowl—too crude to be called a fisherman's hat.

This was a custom-made bulletproof hat designed by Fu Wei, in exchange for data collected after his injuries…

Liu Lei spat on the ground, then looked at Yu Wen with clear satisfaction, savoring his bowing and scraping—it gave him immense psychological satisfaction. He scanned the crowd again and asked: "Your camp's pretty good, huh? Everyone's got arms and legs?"

"To be honest, one of our companions can't walk due to leg injuries—he didn't come out. I can take you to confirm his condition right away!"

Yu Wen quickly interrupted—he knew Chen Hanzhou's reaction was prearranged, but still feared he might overdo it.

"Fuck, you won't speak unless I ask?"

Liu Lei's eyebrows shot up. He turned to Sun Jianwei and Hou Changjun: "Hey, these guys aren't being honest. How about we give them a lesson?"

Sun Jianwei and Hou Changjun were speechless inside—this was already one of the most cooperative survivor camps they'd seen. If you want to intimidate them, at least pick a decent excuse!

"Do as you like."

Hou Changjun replied with a blank face.

Sun Jianwei didn't even bother speaking—just gave a lazy nod. Having a guy like this embarrass himself was fine—it saved them the effort.

"Hahaha! Since you're not being honest, according to Green Dragon Corps rules, you must fight a duel! But your opponent won't be us—please welcome our gladiator, Zero-Zero-Three!"

Clank.

Green Dragon Corps members had already prepared—upon Liu Lei's command, they unlatched the cargo door of a truck.

Thump… thump… thump…

As the cargo door slowly opened, a heavy, rhythmic footstep echoed—so heavy the truck itself trembled, its tires deforming under the vibrations. Everyone's curiosity surged.

Thud.

Before long, a massive shadow emerged from the dark cargo bay—nearly as wide as half the cargo door. From its posture, it was a zombie—but far bulkier than any ordinary one!

Normally, even if a person was obese before turning, their corpse would shrink—muscles atrophied, skin dried out—two hundred pounds would become one hundred thirty. But Zero-Zero-Three was different!

If measured by human standards, this zombie stood about two meters tall, likely weighing seven or eight hundred pounds. Each step made the truck's chassis sway.

Aaao! Aaao!

Zero-Zero-Three's roar wasn't loud—it seemed to sense the dense human presence, swaying its huge head left and right, then stumbled and fell flat. Everyone felt the ground tremble.

Groaning and wheezing, it rose to its feet. Only now did everyone truly see Zero-Zero-Three's form.

Its upper body was heavily armored—metal plating fitted like custom armor, hugging every curve. Even its mouth was sealed shut, sacrificing its most potent weapon for defense!

Only two holes remained for its eyes. Those with sharper minds realized: this brute relied on sight to hunt.

Its limbs were sheathed in thick armor; its chest and back wore modified bulletproof vests, making it even bulkier. On its palms, thick cleavers were strapped—further enhancing its offensive power!

In short, this was a special zombie with near-maximum defense, armed with elite weapons, and possessing unknown abilities.

Around its neck was a metal collar, with several steel cables extending into the truck. No one doubted the cables' tensile strength—but everyone feared the zombie might drag the truck away.

Such a beast's destructive power was terrifying. Without special control methods, it would be a disaster.

Fortunately, the Green Dragon Corps had unique ways to control this giant zombie.

Crackling… zap!

Two Green Dragon Corps members stood beside the truck, each holding a taser. They zapped Zero-Zero-Three repeatedly. Its massive body twisted like a puppet on strings. After five or six seconds, they stopped. Zero-Zero-Three slumped, collapsing onto the ground beside the truck, head bowed as if dead.

Chen Hanzhou and Zhao Dezhhu exchanged glances, eyes wide with shock. Both thought the same word: mutated zombie.

If this had happened before they encountered the petrified-skin zombie, they might have been bewildered. But now, they weren't overly surprised.

They merely felt a pang of reflection: others had found mutated zombies too—and not just at the quarry. They didn't realize this might be more than just a mutated zombie.

Soon, someone answered their unspoken questions.

"The scientific division's pride of the Green Dragon Corps: Zero-Zero-Three!"

Liu Lei shone his flashlight on the zombie, then drew a circle on the parking lot ground and addressed the Tianmayu survivors.

"Who among you will fight? The arena is this circle. Weapon? Use this dagger! Kill the zombie, and you'll be exempt from ten portions of supplies. If you die? You'll still be exempt from one portion. The Green Dragon Corps is fair!"

He pulled a jun dagger from his belt and threw it to the ground—it clinked sharply.

(End of Chapter)